A Proclamation of Friendship

Firefly's Sleepy Mission

Little Jenny did not like bedtime. She was quite afraid of the dark and sleeping all alone. Each night was a protest until an unlikely guest made a surprise landing.

One night little Jenny was trying to fall sleep in her dark little room when she caught a glimpse a strange glow outside her window. She quickly leapt out of bed to get a closer look and discovered a tiny glowing creature peering through the glass. She quickly cracked open her window and let him in. His wings hummed as he zoomed right passed her and around her room.

When he finally landed back on the window sill near her bed little Jenny leaned in and asked him, “what are you?” He was exhausted but gladly began to explain. “I'm a firefly, and my name is Shiny. Everyone calls me Shiny because I always glow. You see my bright light never goes out. I shine day and night, even when I'm not supposed to. I'm always in danger of being caught and just need a safe place to sleep tonight. Jenny was fascinated by his story.  The more he told of his harrowing escapes from danger, the more excited and brighter he glowed.  Once he finally calmed down, Jenny asked “since you've no safe place to go, would you like to stay here tonight?” “Could I really?” exclaimed Shiny. He grew so bright with excitement that Jenny had to cover her eyes with the palm of her hands. “You are silly” she giggled, and set a place for him to rest. She and Shiny told each other stories and kept each other company until both were fast asleep.  

Jenny and Shiny began to meet every night around bedtime, and their friendship began to blossom. He'd settle on the window sill, and they'd read bedtime stories each night by the light of his glow. To her parent's amazement Jenny began to get ready for bed just a little earlier each night. No more protests. Instead, it was hugs and kisses and straight to bed. Jenny loved hearing about Shiny's adventures and Shiny loved hearing about what she did in school that day. One night as they both were drifting off to sleep Jenny murmured, “You're my best friend Shiny.” To which Shiny replied, “and you are mine.”

From that proclamation of friendship on, Jenny and Shiny continued to light each other's way and neither was ever afraid of the dark again.